Re: justice, justice... Was: Anti-Semitism in the Neo-Confederate movement.

In <dpmb4a$oet$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> "Rafael" <jmalfatto@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

>Even if I were to agree to call a rare, informal barter (i.e. of goods that
>probably weren't even processed for the end purpose of exchange, as they
>normally are today) a 'market', I certainly would not call an economy which
>is overwhelmingly geared towards use (again, rather than exchange) a 'market
>economy' (let alone a 'free-market' one, which is an ideological product of
>the 18th & 19th centuries).

As I said before, I stipulate that what you're talking about wouldn't be
characterized as a "market economy." So? How does that affect your point?
Let them go forage, then - would that resolve things for you? I don't see
how this impacts your arguement regarding redistribution of wealth.

>...
>> The idea of money doesn't change anything.

>That is a remarkable statement from the vantage point of any monetary
>theory, and requires going *way* beyond the scope of SCJM (and my time,
>will, and expertise) to address. But I'll add one more brief comment:

Let me rephrase, I said it wrong - the "idea" of money, or monetization,
makes a difference, but actual currency - having coins instead of apples -
does not.

>> It IS produced in the same
>> sense as "real" commodities. Consider apples that you spend the time and
>> energy to grow, but don't intend to eat...

>Which rot (or 'rust', in economistic lashon) unless someone uses them in
>time or else invests energy and material in their preservation (which can be
>costly).

>Money, unlike goods, not only does not rust, but also grows (depending upon
>society's monetary and financial policies). It's a social construct that can
>make those who possess the power of issue very wealthy at a minimal
>expenditure.

Which is why when you put a dollar bill under your mattress, and come back
20 years later, it's value has grown tremendously. WHat? That's not how it
works? Money "rusts" too.

You are fixating on the object and ignoring the underlying system. I can
print SteveBucks all day long and that won't make me wealthy. It's not the
power to print it that makes you wealthy - that's called "inflation."

--s
--

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Tax the Rich!
    ... I didn't deny a reality. ... taxes are what makes the economy go 'round. ... One of the basic tenets was that money in circulation helped ... Giving more to the wealthy just ties money up in ...
    (misc.news.internet.discuss)
  • Re: PING: Some thoughts for Economist Olson [long]
    ... future of the economy, not only that of the U.S., but that of the entire ... an increase in the money supply, ... perhaps even accelerate, the decline in the value of paper assets, making ... for any kind of stable system of exchange to become established. ...
    (rec.collecting.coins)
  • Re: Paying for Katrina
    ... >economic activity without reference to "money". ... >"Money" is just a shorthand way of keeping track of the exchange of goods ... >exchange for a haircut, tomorrow. ... you are describing what is basically a barter economy. ...
    (sci.econ)
  • Re: [OT] cmon billy grow some historical perspective (was Re: Fish Fertilizer and saving fish stock
    ... America spent vast amounts of money to prosecute the war, ... economy, #1 in exporting. ... the wealthy to support the poor then ...
    (rec.gardens.edible)
  • Re: Catholic marriage
    ... very common for young males to prostitute themselves to older, wealthy ... men in exchange for money, education or a place to live. ...
    (uk.religion.christian)